god save the queen

The Crown: Queen Elizabeth Feels Pressure on All Sides in Gorgeous New Teaser

Queen Elizabeth II is steeling herself against the world in the new teaser for the next season of Netflix’s sumptuous dramaThe Crown. In this Season 2 preview, the Queen (played by Golden Globe winner and Emmy nominee Claire Foy) is more assertive than ever, quickly rattling off facts about her impressive staying power in the midst of all the weak men around her.

“I’ve been queen barely 10 years and in that time, I’ve had three prime ministers,” she confidently declares. “Not one has lasted the course.”

The teaser also catches us up on Prince Philip (Matt Smith), who spent the last season bristling against the restrictions of royalty, acclimating to life as the first man of the monarchy. The first season gently alluded to rumors of infidelity, which don’t seem like they’ll go away in this new season. “You married a wild spirit,” Elizabeth is reminded, before the camera cuts to Philip sailing the ocean.

As show creator Peter Morgan revealed earlier this year, Season 2 will dive deeper into Philip’s id, exploring the life of the complicated royal, who is often overshadowed by his wife. “I find him extraordinarily interesting—his childhood, again, you couldn’t make it up,” Morgan said back in March. “The soul of Season 2 is about his complexity.”

The new Crown teaser also gives us a quick glimpse at some American royalty: a brief look at Michael C. Hall playing President John F. Kennedy, and Jodi Balfour as the chic Jackie O. In real life, the political couple went out to visit the queen in 1961 for a somewhat tense meeting.

The Crown’s __new season will take its royal bow on December 8. Take a look below at some new images from the upcoming season, including the royal couple catching a cozy moment alone, and Princess Margaret casting an elegant pose.